U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted a town hall meeting in Denver this morning, answering questions from the community about the federal role in Colorado’s education reforms which are hailed as leading the way for the nation.

“The U.S. Department of Education has many times been part of the problem,” Duncan said as he challenged the community to hold his department accountable for being a good partner.

“The real work, the hard work, the good ideas, are always going to come from you frankly, not come from me or anyone else in Washington,” Duncan said. “Whatever we can do to help you lead the state where it needs to go, I think by doing that you guys collectively help lead the country where we need to go.”

Duncan was at the Evie Dennis Campus in Green Valley Ranch for about an hour in front of a crowd of more than 300 community members, educators and students.

The campus, currently home to Denver School of Science and Technology, SOAR K-5 and Vista Academy, will eventually also be home to an early education center — completing a chain to serve students from birth through high school at the same campus.

Among the Denver reforms Duncan described as impressive, was the campus. Duncan said the Evie Dennis Campus, home to both district-run schools and independent charter schools, is a good example of success in Denver. More schools that focus on good outcomes instead of on a management style, are needed, he said.

When a student asked Duncan what could be done about long waiting lists for schools like his own — DSST — Duncan told the student he should push for replication of the successful models, and commended DSST for having a goal to open 10 schools.

“Don’t underestimate your voice,” Duncan told the student.

Other community questions raised the issue about achievement gaps, parent engagement and education for undocumented students.

On each note, Duncan said there isn’t a clear answer, but he highlighted several federal initiatives.

Among them he cited funding of programs engaging parents, early childhood education, and the creation of better incentives for more diverse populations to enter teaching — including the income-based repayment program that allows teachers and other public servants to have student debt erased after 10 years of work, if they haven’t already been able to pay it off.

Duncan said he’s not hopeful Congress will create better access to college for undocumented students.

“Right now leadership is coming from states,” Duncan said. “Anything I can do to encourage Colorado to move in the right direction. Our country needs your talent.”

Duncan will make a number of stops in the state during his visit including a stop today as keynote speaker at the Green Schools National Conference.

Yesenia Robles is currently a breaking news reporter for The Denver Post. She has covered education, crime and courts, and the northern suburbs. Yesenia was raised in Denver, graduated from CU Boulder, and speaks Spanish. Call her with your story ideas at 303-954-1372.

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